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CRA HEADS FOR SANTA MARIA SATURDAY;
GAUNT TOPS PERRIS 30-LAPPER

JUNE 9, 2008 --- Only 15 points separate USAC/CRA Sprint Car point leaders Cory Kruseman and Mike Spencer, who head for Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway Saturday as the series point race continues to heat up.

Spencer won both 2007 outings at Santa Maria, while Kruseman did not compete in either race. Spencer has won once this year and Kruseman leads the 2008 campaign with three feature wins.

Rickie Gaunt of Torrance, Calif. picked up the win in Saturday night’s 30-lap USAC/CRA Sprint feature at the Perris Auto Speedway, becoming the ninth different race winner so far this season. Gaunt and his Gardner Pipe & Mechanical Chalk/Downing snatched the lead from David Cardey on lap 26 and led to the checkered flag to beat Danny Sheridan, Garrett Hansen, Tony Jones and Josh Ford.

Kruseman came from last to seventh at the finish. Cardey, Gaunt and Sheridan all led during the race but Cardey flipped near the finish.

USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1 Cory Kruseman 639
2 Mike Spencer 624
3 Blake Miller 567
4 Danny Sheridan 558
5 Garrett Hansen 556
6 Tyler Brown 414
7 Tony Jones 411
8 Josh Ford 366
9 Levi Jones 350
10 David Cardey 339

Anyone have a estiment as to what the car count will be? Both races last season were really weak.

No Ford or Kruseman this Sat. Dont expect more than 15 cars, unless they make it easy for us 360 guys to race. Here are some ideas.

dont make hans device mandatory

tow money

extra incentives for 360s

just a thought, but what do I know.

I hear that Crosno won't be making the trip either.Dennis, I agree with you on the tow money,and the 360 incentive however,with Sheridan on the loose I think that the Hans device should remain mandatory.

Just for the record,when USAC makes Hans optional instead of mandatory,I'll run with them.As far as Sheridan,he always smiles as he wizzes past me.Rock-on Danny!

Hey 88, did you happen to notice if he was winking at you too?

Why are these teams choosing not to run there?

Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their
level and beat you with experience!!!! 

I have a question. Why would anyone from around the L.A. area drive all the way to Santa Maria to see anything close to the racing that has taken place so far in USAC/CRA ? WWF is free on tv on Thursday nights.... With the drivers that are in the 50, 7, 18 that would rather just drive into another car, rather than put in the talent and effort to actually pass a car, the question is why would anyone support that ???? For our support the owners of these cars need to explain in full why their drivers remain. If they do not then watch this sport die as there is no entertainment left. The choice is up to the owners of the 50, the 7, and the 18..... Why should we watch your drivers crash into every car they wish to pass ?????

Unfortunately it is my belief economics. The price of gasoline combined with maybe a 3 1/2 hour drive to that very nice track makes it the top reason in my mind. I know it does when I think about traveling anymore. It is now more than $4.40 per gallon.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Kruseman and Ford are from Ventura. All of the Kruseman team will be there exept for him, according to his website.

Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their
level and beat you with experience!!!! 

He will have two cars there, but will not be competing like I said. Josh is running the midget race at ventura as of now.

Costs of fuel are effecting everything. I am not a spokesman for Santa Maria or anything nor an appologist (supporting or defending) but an observer. What Santa Maria can do is what they are doing, that is preparing the facility and making the for the best event possible. USAC/CRA requires a purse nearly triple a Bandit purse so they raise the front gate a couple of bucks. What business cannot afford to do that? If the show and suply and demand warrant a premium (in theory) show then simple mathmatics makes for the costs to be spread.

As for teams showing up or not there are many factors for that I agree. What can one do? Prepare for the best event as I stated. If participants and fans want and support the program there will be more dates. If not then non-wing 410's go by way of winged events which were supported wildly by fans but not supported by teams going back to Fort family management.

For me, I grew up with Super Modifieds, NARC, and CRA at Santa Maria. Seeing NARC-CRA duel meets is something I miss, but things have changed those days are long gone. Multiple date WoO shows have gone by the wayside. I live close enough to the track I used tto drive my first stock cars to the track as a trailerless teenager. I could never do that today. The point is things change and racing has changed a great deal. Economics has caused much change with SMS in the 90's and now late in this first decade.

The new management is in business to be successful. So, if some do not like whats going on how much more will they like it if they effectively vote out non-winged 410's? Santa maria historically has a strong fan base. Will the times or teams effectively change that? I hope not. But what the fans want is in reality partially dictated by the available inventory. What is chosen for the show is dramatically chosen by the fans and being able to sustain the program financially.

The neck restraint issue is one that is viewed as safety but may have it's roots with insurance and other cost's with the sanction. But it is a choice to be evaluated and made. There were some that were against seat belts, roll cages and fire suits. But today those agruements would never be listenteded to nor tolerated would they? Time will tell with the hans device along with other neck restrains. They are optional with the Bandit series but many teams have them and use them. So those using required safety equipment as an excuse not to participate are making a choice whether or not to participate no matter the motive. It is what it is as the cliche' goes.

So I will be there doing what I can and helping the show. I am a fan too and hope to see as many fine racing folks as possible and as the saying goes..."on with the show!" If I were king I would have triple purses, half gate fees and race all classes several times a week. But I am not King dang it. And the reality is we need race tracks to be financially solvent to remain open for us to get our kicks.

Its like when you see something the human eye shouldnt ever see in their lifetime, and you just cant take your eyes off it... I love to watch them battle... Who wants to see tap dancing when you can watch throttle pounding at its finest...This is entertainment, more so than say...uhhh... 75 % of all the other sports in the whole world... But hey whatever floats your boat? right.... I would get bored if I watched cars go round and round without a little rubbin... I hate follow the leader, I would rather see PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY......

Everyone is a little Crazy in their own unique way...

Its the one's who Don't think they are Crazy you have
to Look Out For!!!!

There were some that were against seat belts, roll cages and fire suits.

I am aware of a small handful of drivers against both roll cages and fire suits "back in the day". They were not smart people, but some were against these changes. I cant think of anyone that was ever against seat belts.

Hmmmm, I seem to recall such stories now that you mention it. Race drivers, what a bunch of stubborn people...lol

Back in High school I read a bunch about Indy and NASCAR, then in magazines as they became available...thanks new parts. It seems like there is always opposition to some rules, but the big picture sometimes they are just part of growth even when we see them as retarding the our sport. Like you said KOP, we can be stubborn or obstinate people.

I hated mufflers when they came into vogue...but they too are a reality, especially those suit case jobs but they are what keep our racing going. I guess Hans (or Hans like devices) are the next step.

I don't know if one would have helped Bandit champ AJ Burgin, but he has

been suffering for a few years with a wrecked neck from a racing accident.

So we'll see what the judgement is later on these things. One opinion on the fatality at Kings was saftey equipment not properly used, so if that is true, properly used mandated equipment is the key.

Nice to get answers for D-Rods questions.